By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Texas dove hunters have plenty to look forward to when the 2026 season opens Sept. 1.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists estimate there are about 37 million mourning doves statewide, the second-highest estimate on record. The statewide white-winged dove population is estimated at about 13 million birds, the highest estimate on record.

“Things are looking very, very good this year in terms of dove numbers,” Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Webless Migratory Game Bird Program Leader, said. “This is the third year in a row that we’ve had good population abundance, and this is mostly thanks to the rain that we’ve had this spring and summer across most of the state.”

The estimates are based on annual spring surveys conducted in May and June.

The High Plains saw a 37% decrease in mourning doves from last year, likely due to drier conditions compared to other parts of the state. South Texas, however, saw significant increases in both mourning and white-winged doves, reaching record highs.

The rain may also influence how hunters experience the season, Fitzsimmons said.

Early September is typically a good time to find concentrations of doves, but widespread food and water could keep birds more dispersed this year. Summer rainfall can also encourage late-season weed and grass growth, providing food sources later in the season.

“This year you have good chances from the start of the season all the way to the end,” Fitzsimmons said.

Historic South Zone opener

In addition to strong dove numbers, hunters will see a significant change to the season structure this year.

For the first time in Texas history, all three dove zones will open Sept. 1.

The change means South Zone hunters will not have to wait until mid-September to begin the regular dove season.

Historically, the South Zone opener was delayed because of concerns that mourning doves could still be nesting or raising young in South Texas later in the year.

However, TPWD reviewed current information on breeding and hatch timing and found South Texas was not substantially different from other parts of the country.

That information allowed TPWD to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to move the South Zone opener from Sept. 14 to Sept. 1.

“This is the first time in Texas history that all three zones are opening on Sept. 1,” Fitzsimmons said.

The change also eliminates the special white-winged dove season that historically provided an early hunting opportunity in South Texas before the regular season opened.

South Zone hunters will have consistent regulations throughout the season, including shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset and a daily aggregate bag limit of 15 mourning and white-winged doves, with no more than two white-tipped doves.

Fitzsimmons reminded hunters to make sure they have a Texas hunting license, Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification and migratory game bird endorsement. Hunters on public land also need the appropriate annual public hunting permit.

TPWD will conduct additional monitoring and hunter surveys in the South Zone this year to evaluate the impact of the season change.

The regular season dates are:

  • North Zone: Sept. 1-Nov. 8 and Dec. 18-Jan. 7
  • Central Zone: Sept. 1-Oct. 25 and Dec. 11-Jan. 14
  • South Zone: Sept. 1-Oct. 25 and Dec. 18-Jan. 21

Since New World screwworm has been detected in Texas, all hunters are encouraged to report suspicious wounds, or larvae in a wound, to their veterinarian. For more information about movement guidelines and inspections, visit New World Screwworm (NWS) Guidance — AgriLife Alert System.

Full hunting regulations are available on the Texas Outdoor Annual mobile app or online at outdoorannual.com.